Abduction splint



Dec. 18, 1962 R. J. FUZERE ABDUCTION SPLINT Filed Jan. '7, 1959 INVENTOR. ROBERT J. F UZERE ATTORNEYS Ullif This invention relates in general to splints, and more particularly to a removable abduction splint for infants.

It is an object of this invention to provide a splint for wearing by an infant which will maintain those portions of his legs above the knees immobilized in an abducted position while at the same time permitting flexure of those portions of the legs below the knees. The splint therefore has particular utility in cases involving congenital dislocation of the hips, described in medical terminology as dysplasia of the hips.

It is another object of this invention to provide a splint of the character described, readily adapted to fit the individual infant wearer, and which, by cradling the infant comfortably therein, permits of substantially continuous wearing, even at such times as the infant is being bathed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a splint as described, free from the unpleasant effects of urinary or other body discharge.

A further object is the provision of a splint incorporating attachment means easily adjustable for a comfortable fit of the splint to the body of the wearer and permitting splint removal when desired.

Yet a further object is the provision of a splint of a permanent nature which is readily fabricated of durable radiolucent plastic, permitting Xaray of the hip areas while immobilized by the splint, and which, by reason of its smooth, gently curved contour, permits of easy washing.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of the splint of this invention.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are views in front and rear elevation, respectively, of the splint as worn by the infant.

Referring now to the drawing, the splint is shown in FIGURE 1 as comprising a smoothly contoured saddlelike body, generally designated 4, preferably formed as an integral unit of a radiolucent material, such as plastic, and including upwardly extending front and rear hatshaped panels 6 and 8 formed with upwardly projecting centrally disposed torso-support portions 10 and 12 of curved contour for conformance to the body of the infant wearer 14 (FIGURE 2). Panels 6 and 8 are tapered at their outer ends and bow slightly forward thereat to define leg-supporting stirrups 16 and 18, which latter include smoothly contoured, concavely shaped support, or panel-tying, webs 20 and 22. A cutout 24 is provided centrally of the body 4, in part defining the inner boundaries of leg stirrups 16 and 18, and permitting removable insertion therein, for purposes hereinafter explained, of pads 26 (FIGURE 2) made of gauze or similarly absorbent material.

As above indicated, it is preferable that the body 4 be constructed as an integral unit of a radiolucent material such as plastic. Although this is not essential, it has definite advantages in permitting relatively easy molding of the body 4 to the approximate body contour of the particular infant wearer and direction of the leg stirrups 16 and 18, as by varying the bow therein, for the desired orthopedic effect. Plastics are preferred, not only because they are easily susceptible to the above molding, but because they are light in weight, durable, and not subject to moisture absorption. Further, by

rates Patent utilizing radiolucent plastic, X-rays of the infant may be taken while he is wearing the splint, permitting precise determination of the leg and hip joint alignment effected by immobilizing those portions of the legs above the, knees subject to the constraint of stirrups 16 and 18.

Shoulder straps 28 and 30 are secured in suitable fashion between the upper ends of the torso-supporting portions 10 and 12, being provided with buckles 32 and 34, or other suitable means for releasably securing and adjusting the straps of the wearer. Similarly, leg straps 36 and 38 extend between the upper ends of the stirrups 16 and 18 for constraint of the wearers legs when immobilized therein, with buckles 40 and 42 permitting adjustable securing and release of said leg straps.

In using the splint, the infant 14 is first gently placed in body 4 to be cradled therein with the lower portion of his torso supported at the front and rear by contoured support panels 10 and 12. The portions of the infants legs 44 and 46 above the knees rest within stirrups 16 and 18, immobilized and distended from the body trunk in an attitude conducive to alignment of the legs and the hip joints. The lower portions of the legs, i.e. below the knees, are left free for flexure. The shoulder straps 28 and 30 are then secured in place to maintain the infant within the body 4 and the absorbent pad 26 tucked into the cutout 24 to extend beyond the margins thereof interiorly of said body. It should here be noted that in lieu of the absorbent pad 26, a diaper (not shown) may be pinned about the infant when positioned, as above.

In the above described splint, I have provided an orthopedic appliance which permits a maximum of comfort of the wearer, permitting considerable freedom of movement, while nevertheless performing its corrective function. Objectionable effects of body excretions are eliminated by providing the easily changeable absorbent pads 26; and bathing of the infant is greatly facilitated, as he may be bathed While secured in the splint, the adjustable straps permitting such change of position as may be necessary for access to his constrained leg and torso portions.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention as herein described may be altered, changed or modified without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as herein claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitary abduction splint comprising spaced apart upwardly extending front and rear panel portions adapted to embrace an infants lower trunk portion, a pair of leg-supporting stirrup portions extending laterally in substantially opposite directions from said front and rear panel portions and being integral therewith, said stirrup portions being open at the top and closed at the bottom to receive and cradle the hip to knee portions of an infants legs and dispose them in abducted position, and releasable tie means attached to said splint extend ing transversely thereof and substantially horizontally between the upper edges of each of said stirrup portions and operable to bind the infants said leg portions within said stirrup portions and thereby prevent removal movement of said splint relative to the infant, said splint having the same shape and form when unattached to an infant as it has when attached.

2. A unitary abduction splint comprising spaced apart upwardly extending front and rear panel portions adapted to embrace an infants lower trunk portion, a pair of leg-supporting stirrup portions extending laterally in substantially opposite directions from said front and rear panel portions and being integral therewith, said stirrup portions being open at the top and closed at the bottom to receive and cradle the hip to knee portions of an infants legs and dispose them in abducted position,

tie means attached to ,said splint and adapted to retain the infants said leg portions within said stirrup portions and said front and rear panel portions in embracing relation to the infants lower trunk portion and an aperture of substantial ,size defined in said splint in? termediate said stirrup portions, said aperture extending upwardly into said front and rear panel portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent Stein D66. 19, 1922 Barto July 24, 1923 Lefkovits June 10, 1924 Young Sept. 26, 1950 Van Swaay Aug. 21, 1956 Manalo Aug. 27, 1957 Kerr -1.-- May 10, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS France Mar. 3, 1954 OTHER REFERENCES (Ann Arbor), 1952. Copy in Div. 55.)

(Pages 434 and 436 relied on. 

